I Will Lift My Eyes

This evening I listened to a beautiful song of praise by Karen Davis. I used to play this song every Friday evening because it put me in the mood for worship. Watch the video.

It sometimes brings tears to my eyes when I sing this song. Jesus is worthy of our praise and adoration for who He is and all that He has done. He left the glory of Heaven and came here to earth in flesh to live among fallen mankind. He didn’t come to be served but to serve. He came to give His life as a ransom for many. He came to teach, heal and lift people’s hopes and change their lives for the better.

He broke down so many barriers. He treated women with respect. He had women followers and some of them funded His ministry. He spoke to a Samaritan woman and didn’t condemn her for being married five times and living common law with the sixth man in her life. In fact, He offered her a life of change and hope. He spoke kindly to the woman who had the issue of blood after she touched His robe and was healed. He called her “Daughter” and sent her away with the knowledge that her faith had made her well. She had spent so much of her money and none of the doctors was able to help her.

Jesus was gracious to the woman caught in adultery. He exposed the hypocrisy of her accusers and they went away in shame. Jesus didn’t condemn the woman. He sent her away in peace and told her to stop sinning. He welcomed the woman of questionable character who entered a pharisee’s home to anoint his head and feet with expensive oil. He forgive her sins even as those present condemned and scorned her. He healed a woman who was bent over for many years on the Sabbath. He brought joy to the parents of the sick twelve year old girl when he brought her back to life and the widow who was one minute crying because she was on her way to bury her son and the next rejoicing because he was raised to life.

Even as He hung on the cross, He asked His Father to forgive those who wanted Him dead and placed His mother in John’s care. Jesus was always putting the needs of others before His own. And this is why it is not surprising that He was willing to lay down His life for His friends and offer Himself as a sacrifice for the sins of the world. He was the King of kings and the Son of God but He didn’t come to this earth in glory. He was born to a young virgin in a manger of all places. He was wrapped in swaddling cloth. He was humble at birth and throughout His life. He worked as a carpenter until it was time for Him to begin His ministry. He didn’t have a place of His own. He was always on the go, preaching and ministering to many. He chose ordinary men to become His disciples. He didn’t stop loving Peter because he betrayed Him. He didn’t stop loving the other disciples because they deserted Him. He appeared to them so that they could see that He had risen as He said He would.

He appeared first to Mary Magdalene out of whom He had cast seven demons. What a life she must have had before she met Jesus. The other day as I read the Bible I realized that Jesus affects people in three distinct ways after He changes their lives:

1. They tell others – e.g. the Samaritan woman

2. They follow Him – Mary Magdalene

3. They serve Him – Peter’s mother-in-law (soon after Jesus got rid of her fever)

What about you? What effect does Jesus have on you? Have you told others about Him? Are you one of His followers? Do you serve Him?

This weekend, reflect on Jesus and what He did for you. Think about the great sacrifice He made for you so that you would not perish but have everlasting life with Him. Share His story with someone. I personally will lift my eyes to the Lord on high and praise Him. I will thank Him for loving me so much that He endured the indignity of the cross.